A busy period of transfer activity for Curzon Ashton Football Club has continued with the return of a fans' favourite.

Cam Mason said he was "absolutely delighted to be back" after the Nash announced on Saturday afternoon (3 June) he will be between the sticks again at the Tameside Stadium next term.

The 27-year-old tweeted: "What a crazy week but I'm absolutely delighted to be back!

"I can't thank the gaffer [Adam Lakeland] and staff, Wayne Salkeld [chairman] and the rest of the board for not only wanting to bring me back but also making it possible. Special thanks Kiko Rodriguez [agent] as always. Can't wait to get started." 

What a crazy week but I’m absolutely delighted to be back! I can’t thank the Gaffa & Staff, @SalkeldWayne & the rest of the board for not only wanting to bring me back, But also making it possible. Special thanks @KikoRod9 as always. Can’t wait to get started @CurzonAshton 💙 pic.twitter.com/PdNImqTvIG

— Cam Mason (@Cam_Mason1) June 3, 2023

The goalkeeper becomes the third signing of the summer so far, after Isaac Sinclair re-joined the club following a spell at Bamber Bridge and forward Miles Storey arrived after departing Hereford FC.

Mason, who has also competed in a number of other sports including cricket and golf, first joined Curzon in the summer of 2014 and was the Nash's longest-serving player, amassing over 150 appearances before leaving at the end of the 2020/21 campaign when his contract expired.

The former Oldham Athletic youth player and ex-Chesterfield stopper joined Southport FC in July 2021 but struggled to get his place back in the side at Haig Avenue after suffering with injuries.

He spent the second half of last season at Guiseley AFC in the Northern Premier League Premier Division but sustained an injury in mid-March which ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign. 

🗣️ Speaking on the move he said: "Delighted to be back."#UTN | #TheNash pic.twitter.com/D8KeyCBMLE

— Curzon Ashton (@CurzonAshton) June 3, 2023

In his first spell at Curzon, Mason was selected for the England C squad for a non-league international against Wales - only for the game to be called off because of Covid-19.

His return to Ashton-under-Lyne comes a week after fellow custodian Chris Renshaw moved the opposite way to link up with Southport - with the 25-year-old keeping 18 clean sheets last term, the most Curzon have ever kept in a single campaign.

Manager Adam Lakeland and his coaching staff have been proactive already in preparing for the 2023/24 campaign, with influential midfielders Will Hayhurst and Samuel Walker also extending their stays at the club this week.

Meanwhile, captain Craig Mahon (an ever present in the club’s 54 games last term), Marcus Poscha, George Waring, Harry Jessop, Jordan Richards, Adam Barton, Devon Matthews and Jimmy Spencer have already signed new deals to keep them at Curzon.

However, Josh Hancock, Hayden Campbell and last season’s 22-goal top scorer Tom Peers have all left the club.

The Nash will be hoping to build on a record-breaking season for the club, in which they amassed their highest points total (65) in the National League North, took their play-off push to the final day before narrowly missing out following a 2-0 defeat at King’s Lynn Town, and reached the Emirates FA Cup first round.

🏃 Tour of Tameside 2023 🏃

We're proud to be delivering this year's four-day running festival, which takes place from 15 to 18 June. 

Find out more and book your place here. 

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